Genesis 45:2

Translations

King James Version (KJV)

And he wept aloud: and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard.

American King James Version (AKJV)

And he wept aloud: and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard.

American Standard Version (ASV)

And he wept aloud: and the Egyptians heard, and the house of Pharaoh heard.

Basic English Translation (BBE)

And so loud was his weeping, that it came to the ears of the Egyptians and all Pharaoh's house.

Webster's Revision

And he wept aloud; and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard.

World English Bible

He wept aloud. The Egyptians heard, and the house of Pharaoh heard.

English Revised Version (ERV)

And he wept aloud: and the Egyptians heard, and the house of Pharaoh heard.

Clarke's Genesis 45:2 Bible Commentary

The Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard - It seems strange that Joseph should have wept so loud that his cries should be heard at some considerable distance, as we may suppose his dwelling was not very nigh to the palace! "But this," says Sir John Chardin, "is exactly the genius of the people of Asia - their sentiments of joy or grief are properly transports, and their transports are ungoverned, excessive, and truly outrageous. When any one returns from a long journey, or dies, his family burst into cries that may be heard twenty doors off; and this is renewed at different times, and continues many days, according to the vigor of the passion. Sometimes they cease all at once, and then begin as suddenly with a greater shrillness and loudness than one could easily imagine." This circumstance Sir John brings to illustrate the verse in question. See Harmer, vol. iii. p. 17. But the house of Pharaoh may certainly signify Pharaoh's servants, or any of the members of his household, such as those whom Joseph had desired to withdraw, and who might still be within hearing of his voice. After all, the words may only mean that the report was brought to Pharaoh's house. See Genesis 45:16.